Convector



A. B. MODI N E June 26, 1956 CONVECTOR 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 16, 1951 A. B. MODINE June 26, 1956 CONVECTOR 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 16, 1951 coNvEcToR Arthur B. Medine, Racine, Wis., assigner to Medine Manufacturing Company, Racine, Wis., a corporation of Wisconsin Application February 16, 1951, Serial No. 211,245

S Claims. (Ci. 257-136) The invention relates generally to heat exchange structures, and more particularly, to a heat exchange structure of the convector type.

The invention has among its objects the production of a convector type heat structure, wherein the heat exchange elements may be readily constructed of inexpensive sheet metal, and which are so designed that the units substantially form a cabinet structure eliminating a separate cabinet or enclosure for the heat exchange units whereby the resulting device is very etlicient in use, relatively simple in construction, and very inexpensive to manufacture.

Another object of the invention is the production of such a combination heat exchanger and cabinet enclosure therefor which requires relatively simple operations in its manufacture, readily adapting itself to productionline manufacturing techniques.

A further object of the invention is the production of such a device which is so designed that the size and capacity of the device as well as the inlet and outlet connections may be readily varied without change in the basic structure.

Many other objects and advantages of the construction herein shown and described will be obvious to those skilled in the art from the -disclosure herein given.

To this end rny invention consists in the novel construction, arrangement, and combination of parts herein shown and described, and more particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings, wherein like reference characters represent like or correspon-ding parts:

Fig. l is a front elevational view of a convector heat exchanger and cabinet therefor, with portions of the latter broken away to show the details of construction;

Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional view taken approximately on the line 2 2 of Fig. l;

Fig. 3 is a horizontal sectional View taken approximately on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic View of the heat exchange structure illustrating a modiiied form of connecting the sarne into a lluid supply and return line;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken approximately on the line 5 5 of Fig. 2; and

Fig. 6 is a sectional View of the connecting structure taken approximately on the line 6-6 of Fig. 5.

The present invention contemplates the use of a pluraiity of heat exchange units connected in parallel, or in series, or a combination of both to form a multiple heat exchange structure wherein the units are preferably formed from sheet metal, or the like. Heat exchange units of a type particularly suitable for incorporation in the present invention are illustrated in my co-pending applications Serial No. 205,859, tiled January 13, 1951, and Serial No. 205,860, tiled January 13, 1951, the embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawings utilizing the heat exchange unit illustrated in the latter application. In the utilization of the present invention each heat exchange unit is so constructed that it may be atent ICC associated with similar units to partially form an enclosure for the convector heat exchanger which may be readily completed by the addition of a pair of side panels and a top panel, with the units also providing an inlet and outlet grille structure of pleasing appearance. In other words, the entire heat exchange structure and cabinet enclosure may employ merely four diierent memhers; namely, the respective heat exchange units, two end panels, and a top panel, with the only change required to produce the device in various sizes being in the size of the top panel, and increasing or decreasing the number ot heat exchange units employed.

Referring to the drawings, the reference numeral 1 indicates generally a convector type heat exchanger and enclosure utilizing a plurality of heat exchange units, indicated generally by the numeral 2, each of the units 2, as illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3, being formed from a pair of metal sheets 3 and 4;, respectively, in the present instance both sheets having similarly shaped, cocxtensive, outwardly odset portions 5 and 6 forming a VFluid passage or chamber 7 when the sheets are placed in opposite relation, as illustrated. Positioned between the sheets 3 and 4- are a pair of liner members 8 and 9, respectively, complementary to the adjacent surfaces of the sheets 3 and Li, and having peripheral ange p0rtions 11 positioned in abutting relation between the adjacent portions of the plates 3 and 4. The latter and liner members 8 and 9, in the embodiment illustrated, are secured together by a continuous line of welding 12, whereby the fluid passage 7 is duid tight. The plates 3 and 4 of each unit are each provided with a pair of ports 13 and 14 therein, and positioned in each of the ports and secured to the respective plates and liner members is a sleeve or bushing 15 providing means for operatively connecting adjacent units together, as hereinafter described in detail. The construction of the respective heat exchange units above described is similar to that illustrated in my above referred to co-pending application Serial No. 205,860, led January 13, 1951, with the liner members S and 9, and bushings or sleeves 15 being constructed of a material which will not deteriorate under action of iiuid flowing in the unit Whereby the outer housing comprising the plates 3 and 4 may be fabricated from a relatively inexpensive metal without regard to the nature or characteristics of the fluid passing through the unit, thereby considerably reducing the cost of such structure.

As clearly illustrated in `|Eig. 3, the vertical or longitudinal edges of the plate 3 are each formed with laterally extending front and rear wall portions 16 and 17 integrally formed with the plate 3, with the free vertical edges of the walls 16 and 17 terminating in opposed, inwardly extending langes 1S and 19, the ilanges 18 and 19 of each respective unit lying in substantially a common plane so that walls 16 and 17 are co-extensive in width. As illustrated in Fig. 2, the rear walls 17 are substantially cci-extensive in vertical length with that of the plate 3, while the front walls 16 terminate at their upper ends at a point spaced below the top edge of the plate 3 to form an air outlet passage 21. The walls 16 likewise terminate at their lower ends at a point spaced above the lower edge of the plate 3 to form an air inlet opening V22.

In assembling the structure, the respective units 2 are similarly positioned as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 3, the lianges 13 and 19 of one unit abutting the plate 3 of the adjacent unit, with the walls 16 and 17 of the units being positioned in respective connnon planes. The flanges 18 and 19 are secured to the adjacent unit by any suitable means, such as bonding, welding, or the like, and in like manner, the adjacent ports 13 and 14 of the adjacent units are connected together so that in the embodiment of the e 2,752,125 i e invention illustrated in Fig. l, all of the units are connected in parallel. In such embodiment, the ports of the respective units are connected in the manner illustrated in Fig. 5, with the sleeves 15 of adjacent units being axially aligned and butting one another. Concentrically positioned in the rspectively aligned sleeves 15, associated with the ports 13, is a tubular reinforcing member 23 which is provided with two or more openings 24 therein communicating with each respective chamber or uid passage 7, the tubular member 23 being formed from a suitable metal which will not deteriorate under action of the iluid being carried. Similarly the respective series of ports 14 are connected by a tubular member 2317, and the members 23a and 23h and their respective sleeves 15 are secured to one another in uid-tight relationship by bonding, welding, or other suitable means, such securing operations normally being accomplished simultaneously with the securing of the ilanges 18 and 19 to adjoining plates 3.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Fig. 1, one end 25 of the upper tube 23a is suitably sealed by a plug, or other means, and the opposite end 26 of the lower tube is similarly sealed. The open end 27 of the upper tube forms the fluid inlet, and may be operatively connected by an L 2S to a vertically extending uid supply line 29. In like manner, the open end 31 of the lower tube 23h forms the uid outlet, and may be operatively connected by an L 32 to a vertically extending uid discharge line 33;

Suitably secured to the anges 18 and 19 of the last unit adjacent the outlet line 33 is a vertically extending end panel34 constructed of metal, or other suitable material, and if desired, of a suitable heat insulating material, the end panel 34 preferably being removably attached to the anges 18 and 19 to provide access to the outlet end 31 of the lower tube V231:. A similar end panel 34 is positioned adjacent the inlet line 29 at the opposite end of the structure. However, as the walls 16 and 17 of the last unit 2 adjacent the line 29 are extending away from the end panel 34', a pair of extension walls 16' and 17' are provided, the respective walls being co-extensive in height with the adjacent front and rear walls, and provided with inwardly extending anges 18 and 19' along both of their vertical edges, forming means for attaching the walls 16 and 17' to the plate 3 of the adjacent unit 2, as well as providing means to which the end panel 34' may be secured, the latter preferably being detachable to provide access to the line 29. In the embodiment of the invention illustrated, the end walls 34 and 34' are removably connected to the respective adjacent flanges 19 and 19' by more or less S-shaped brackets 35 suitably secured to the respective end panels and adapted to overlie the inner surface of such anges. The end panels are respectively secured to the anges 18 and 18 by screws 36 passing through the panels and threaded into the anges. Thus, by removing the screws 36, the panels may be drawn forward out of engagement with the flanges 19 and 19. The cabinet is completed by a top panel 37 suitably secured to 1tllie end panels 34 and 34 by angle brackets 38 or the Referring to Figs. l and 2, it will be noted that while the front wall formed by the wall portions 16 terminates at its upper end at a point -spaced below the top panel 35, thus forming the air outlet opening 21, the plate members 3 extend to the top panel whereby the exposed front edges 39 impart the appearance of a grille structure, so that an additional ornamental grille is not required, although one could be added, if desired. Similarly, in the embodiment of the invention illustrated, the lower portions of the plates 3 adjacent theair inlet opening 22 are diagonally cut, as indicated at 40, to impart the appearance of a single airV inlet opening across the bottom of the structure, although, if desired, the lower portions of the plates 3 could Abe rectangular in shape, similar to the upper portions thereof, and, similarly impart the appearano f t1 grille structure. Y

The front wall of the cabinet may be given a novel appearance by leaving slight indentations along the junctures of the plates 3 and flanges 18 during the bonding operation, whereby the front wall is divided into a plurality of vertical panels, each comprising one of the wall portions 16, or if desired, such indentations may be completely lled with bonding material whereby a smooth, flush surface is provided entirely across the front wall to impart the appearance of a single, smooth-faced front wall. While the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figs. l, 2 and 3 discloses the fluid supply 29 and return line 33 as being positioned at the respective ends of the heat exchange structure and connected to the same thereat, in some cases it may be desirable to eliminate the positioning of the uid lines at the extreme ends of the heat exchange structure. Fig. 4 diagrammatically illustrates a modified form of connection of the fluid supply and return lines whereby the latter are positioned directly below the exchanger. In this construction the heat exchange structure would generally be constructed substantially the same as the structure illustrated in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, with the exception that both ends 25' of the upper tube 23 would be closed, as would both ends 26' of the lower tube. The fluid supply line 29 is connected to the lower tube 23', intermediate the end pair of the heat exchange units 2', and the iluid return line 33 is operatively connected to the lower tube 23 intermediate the other end pair of heat exchange units 2'. As illustrated in the sectional portion of Fig. 4, the partition wall 41 is positioned in the lower tube 23', intermediate the second and third heat exchange units at the supply end of the tube 23', thereby isolating thelower ends of the rst two units to which the supply line 29 is connected from the lower ends of the remaining heat exchange units, only two of which are illustratedv in F ig. 4. Thus, the two end units connected at their lower ends to the supply line 29' are operative to conduct the uid from the line 29' to 23', and thus into the upper portions of all of the heat exchange units 2'. As the bottom portion of all of the other heat exchange units are operatively connected to the return line 33', iluid passes downward through the remainder of the heat exchange units, and is discharged into the return line 33'. In this construction the supply and return lines 23 and 33 are positioned directly below the heat exchange structure, eliminating the pas-sage of such lines at the extreme ends of the exchange structure, and while the two endmost tubes directly connected to the supply line 29' are in series with the remainder of the units, the bulk of the heat exchange units are parallelly connected. However, in some types of heat exchanger applications, it may be desirable to provide a series or series parallel flow through different portions of the heat exchanger, in which case additional partition walls 38 could be employed to provide the desired uid flow through the heat exchange structure. In steam and hot water applications, the heat exchange sructure is also provided with an air relief valve 42, illustrated in Fig. 1 and operatively connected to the upper tube 23a intermediate a pair of heat exchange units whereby air accumulating in the top of the heat exchange structure may be expelled from the system.

It will be noted from the above description that I have provided a unitary convector type heat exchanger and cabinet structure which is very simple in construction, utilizing a plurality of similar elements whereby only ve different elements are required; namely, a plurality of like heat exchange units, two end panels 34 and 34', top panel 37 and like spacer sections 16' and 17'. It will also be apparent that the number of heat exchange units employed may be readily increased or decreased, with a change in only one member, the top panel 37 being required. Likewise, the structure illustrated, with the exception of the top and end panels, is a unitary structure which may be readily produced by production tech'- niques, eliminating a considerable amount of manual labor both in the manufacture and installation thereof, as well as eliminating a large number of separate pieces which must be assembled with individual securing means, such as screws, bolts, etc. Also, as the grille structure is integrally formed with the heat exchange and cabinet structure, the decrease or increase in the number of units employed will automatically vary the grille structure without requiring additional substitution of grille elements of various sizes, and the like.

Having thus described my invention, it is obvious that various immaterial modifications may be made in the same without departing from the spirit of my invention; hence, I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to the exact form, construction, arrangement, and combination of parts herein shown and described, or uses mentioned.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. In a heat exchange device, the combination of a plurality of elongated vertically extending sheets of metal, each generally U-shaped in cross-section, and including leg portions extending in parallel relation and being co-extensive in width and an intermediate portion, the free edges of the leg portions terminating in inwardly extending, oppositely disposed flanges, said sheets being assembled in corresponding relation with the anges of each sheet positioned adjacent to the intermediate portion of the next sheet and secured thereto, each of said intermediate portions including a vertically extending oiset portion adapted to form a part of a fluid chamber positioned between the leg portions, a second sheet for each of said first sheets, smaller in size than the latter including a similar offset portion, each of said second sheets being metallically joined adjacent its peripheral edges to said intermediate portion of its associated first sheet in sealing relation contiguous to the offset portions, the offset portions of the sealed area of said sheets being spaced from one another to form the fluid chamber therebetween, the metal forming each respective joint at the aforesaid peripheral edges and extending in opposed relation on opposite sides of said uid chamber formed by said first and second sheets, providing a simulated substantially tapered heat transfer fin, a liner structure positioned in each chamber, the liner for each of said sheets formed from a material which will not deteriorate under action of the lluid flowing within the fluid chambers of said heat exchange device, each of said chambers having a pair of aligned inlet ports and a pair of aligned outlet ports therein, each pair of ports being aligned with corresponding pairs of ports in the adjacent chambers, a tubular member extending through each respective series of aligned ports and operatively connected in duid-tight relationship to the respective sheets forming said charnbers, each respective tubular member having openings therein respectively communicating with said chambers, one of said tubular members forming a lluid inlet therefor, and the other a fluid outlet therefor, a pair of end walls positioned adjacent the respective endmost sheets and operatively secured thereto, and a top wall secured to the structure covering the top edges of said sheets, a corresponding leg portion of each sheet being less in longitudinal length than the intermediate portion and terminating at points spaced from each end of the latter whereby the assembled portions form a. Wall having an air inlet opening and an air outlet opening therein.

2. In a heat exchange device as set forth in claim 1, wherein each liner structure comprises similarly formed liner members provided with peripheral flange portions and positioned between said vertically extending first and second sheets forming each uid chamber, said liner members complementally formed to the adjacent surfaces of the sheets forming each fluid chamber, and said peripheral ilange portions of the liner members of each liner structure aixed in heat transfer relationship between the adjacent portions of the first and second sheets providing the simulated substantially tapered heat transfer n.

3. In a heat exchange device as set forth in claim 2, wherein said first and second sheets are formed as independent plates providing a plurality of heat exchange units, and each heat exchange unit is formed with a pair of aligned inlet ports and a pair of aligned outlet ports provided by the aforesaid ports of each fluid chamber.

4. In a heat exchange device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the lower front edge of the intermediate portion of each of the first-mentioned sheets contiguous to the leg portion thereof formed to provide the aforesaid air inlet opening is beveled, whereby there is imparted to the aforesaid inlet opening the appearance of a single air inlet opening across the bottom of the heat exchange device.

5. In a heat exchange device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the aforesaid irst and second sheets provide an outer housing structure, said liner structure being hollow and adapted for positioning within said housing structure, the outer surface of said liner structure generally cornplementally in shape to the inner surface of the housing structure, with the external dimensions of the liner being less than the corresponding internal dimensions of the housing structure to provide a relatively small space between the adjacent surfaces of the liner and housing structures, and a capillary layer of metal varying from substantially 0.003l in thickness to a maximum thickness dependent upon the establishment of a capillary action between the outer housing structure and hollow liner structure and dierent from that of the housing structure filling the space between such surface of the latter and the liner structure, and providing a barrier of such metal between iiuid to be carried in the conduit and the outer metal housing upon the hollow liner structure being substantially corroded by the corrosible duid in contact therewith, said metal extending between adjacent surfaces of the lianges on said housing, and bonding the same together in uid relationship.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Lehmann Sept. 8, 1953 

